Florida residents use billions of gallons of water every day. Even though we experience high levels of rain in Florida, different conditions in our landscape do not always allow for proper water storage. There are
various steps and changes that an Association can make to improve the retention of water in their landscape, saving money and making it more attractive.
Condos and HOAs can avoid paying costly water bills by implementing strategies to regulate and conserve their water costs by following these 9 Florida-Friendly landscaping principles:
Click here to view this SlideShare and others like it.
- Right Plant; Right Place – Placing plants that are native to your area will sooner or later require little to no maintenance. Plants that match the soil, light, and climatic conditions will establish themselves on their own, saving you time and money.
- Fertilize Accordingly – Use fertilizers with slow-release nitrogen and very small amounts of phosphorous. Never fertilize within 10 feet of any body of water, and don’t fertilize before a heavy rain to avoid pollution. Excess fertilizer will pollute nearby bodies of water, and will therefore pollute the water that your home or condo uses.
- Befriend Local Wildlife – Providing water, shelter and food to animals such as birds and butterflies will only make your landscaping more attractive. Plants with fruit, seeds, or flowers can be eaten by animals and help them survive in heavily urbanized areas.
- Water Regularly – Planting the right plants in the right place will help conserve water significantly. Zoning your irrigation system and planting foliage with similar needs will allow for less run off and also save you money.
- Mighty Mulch – Mulch is your friend. It helps retain soil moisture, inhibits weed growth and even protects surrounding plants. It also gives your landscape a neat, clean look. Use sustainably harvested mulch like eucalyptus or pine straw, and avoid using cypress mulch as its origins are difficult to regulate.
- Protect Your Lakeshores – What you do inside and outside your home can significantly affect your local lakeshores. Always designate a “maintenance-free zone” that is at least 10 feet away from any lakeshores. Do not pollute water by dumping wastes or chemicals into them to avoid shoreline erosion.
- Reuse Your Yard Waste – Pruning, mowing and raking are just a few maintenance techniques that result in leftover yard waste. These wastes can be recycled to save money by composting, or combing environmentally friendly materials (grass clippings, weeds, tea bags, etc.) with one another. Adding these nutrient-rich wastes to your yard will help plants retain more water and increase their fertility.
- Reduce Runoff – Almost all of the bodies of water in Florida are susceptible to pollution from run-off. Pesticides and other chemicals can enter these bodies of water and decrease our water quality significantly. If possible, use permeably materials such as brick, gravel or crushed shell on walkways and driveways to allow for water to soak into the ground.
- Manage Pests – To avoid spreading diseases and insect outbreaks, use pest-resistant plants in your landscaping. Placing them in suitable locations will aid in the prevention of major environmental and health issues caused by pests. Also use appropriate amounts of fertilizer and water in your landscaping. Using IPM, or Integrated Pest Management will help you create and sustain a cost-efficient and low-maintenance landscape in no time.
By using these Florida-Friendly landscaping principles, your association will not only be saving on water costs but will also be lessening pollution in your area and benefiting the environment as a whole. To view the full list of Florida-Friendly yard practices, click here.
